Rain doesn’t have to mean a day stuck staring at four walls. Wicklow has plenty of great indoor (and even outdoor!) options to keep the kids busy and happy when the weather turns wet. From adventure play centres to historic gaols, swimming pools to storytelling sessions, here’s our round-up of the best rainy day activities for kids in Wicklow.
Indoor Play Centres
Funworks
Funworks is an indoor play centre located in the Croghan Industrial Estate in Arklow. It has climbing frames, roller skating and laser tag to keep kids entertained for hours, while parents can relax with a coffee and watch the fun.
Zoom Adventure Play
Zoom Adventure Play, based in Charlesland, Greystones, is a fantastic rainy day option with four levels of fun. There’s an extreme maze of tunnels, spiral slides, obstacle courses, a four-lane slide and ball cannons, plus a separate toddler area for the little ones. Grown-ups can relax in the coffee area with homemade treats and free wifi, and the centre also runs midweek activities for kids.
Bray Bowl
Take the family bowling at Bray Bowl, conveniently located beside Bray Dart Station. As well as ten-pin bowling, there’s Quasar Laser Tag, pool, a retro arcade, air hockey and snooker — plenty to keep kids of all ages entertained.
Wicklow’s Historic Gaol
Wicklow’s Historic Gaol is one of Ireland’s most interactive experiences. Led by experienced actor guides, the tour brings the story of the gaol’s prisoners to life, transporting visitors back in time to meet some of the most notorious characters to have walked its halls. You can experience the life the prisoners led and even step aboard a recreated convict ship bound for the New World.
Daytime tours are available, along with eerier night tours and paranormal tours for the brave at heart. The gaol is open daily and has an on-site café. While you’re there, pop into the Wicklow Genealogical Museum to try tracing your own family roots.
Catch a Movie
Who doesn’t love popcorn and a good film? The Omniplex Cinema in the Bridgewater Shopping Centre, Arklow, has a kids’ club with discounted rates on weekends and during school holidays, along with kids’ meal options.
Storytelling sessions at the Mermaid Arts Centre in Bray are always a hit with children, with different events running throughout the year.
Or skip the trip altogether and create your own home cinema experience — get the kids involved in setting up seating, making tickets and choosing the film, then settle in together.
Related: Make Your Own Home Cinema
Get Reading
A rainy afternoon is the perfect excuse to visit your local library. Wicklow’s libraries have junior sections and often run free events and activities for kids — it’s worth checking with your local branch for current opening times and what’s on.
You could also head to your local bookshop and treat the kids to a new book, then curl up together at home to read it.
Go Swimming
Coral Leisure in Arklow is the largest leisure complex in the southeast, with a 25m pool, a separate learner pool, sauna, steam room, large gym and sports hall. Coral also has a pool and gym in Wicklow Town.
Younger children should always be closely supervised in the water — it’s worth checking the venue’s current age and supervision policy before you go.
See the Sharks
At SEA LIFE Bray Aquarium, kids can enjoy a fascinating underwater journey without getting wet, with displays including Rivers of the World, Nemo’s Kingdom and a Tropical Shark Lagoon. There’s a kids’ quiz trail, a colouring table, feeding times throughout the day, and opportunities for children to handle some of the animals. A soft play area and indoor picnic space are also on site.
Cool Planet Experience
Head to Powerscourt Estate & Gardens in Enniskerry for the Cool Planet Experience, Ireland’s first interactive climate change exhibition. Through immersion, gaming and competition, kids can learn what’s causing climate change, the science behind it, and how they can help — all in about an hour. The centre also runs workshops and activities for kids throughout the year.
Get Outside
Sometimes the best thing to do is get out and get wet! Pop on the raingear and wellies and head out for a puddle-splashing walk — it’s a great way for kids to burn off pent-up energy from being cooped up indoors.
Warm up afterwards with a hot bath or shower, dry clothes and a hot chocolate, then settle in with a board game or a movie for a cosy end to a wet day.
Related: 50 Fun Rainy Day Activities for Kids, What to Do on a Rainy Day & Activities for a Rainy Day
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rainy day activities for kids in Wicklow?
Wicklow has a great mix of indoor options for wet days, including play centres like Funworks and Zoom Adventure Play, bowling at Bray Bowl, Wicklow’s Historic Gaol, swimming at Coral Leisure, and the SEA LIFE Bray Aquarium.
Is Wicklow’s Historic Gaol suitable for young children?
The tours are interactive and led by actor guides, which younger children often find exciting, though the subject matter (prison history) suits school-age children best. It’s worth checking with the venue directly if you’re unsure about suitability for very young kids.
Are there rainy day activities in Wicklow for toddlers?
Yes — several venues, including Zoom Adventure Play, have dedicated toddler areas, and Coral Leisure’s pools are suitable for younger children when accompanied by an adult.
What can we do if we don’t want to spend money on a rainy day in Wicklow?
A free local library visit, a home cinema afternoon, or simply heading outside in raingear for a puddle-splashing walk are all great no-cost options.
Looking for More Ideas?
Save this article so you’ve always got a list of rainy day options ready to go, and browse our other rainy day activity guides for even more inspiration whenever the forecast turns wet.
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